Buehrle's HOF votes enough to stay on ballot
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CHICAGO -- Mark Buehrle will stay on the Hall of Fame ballot for at least another year, as the former White Sox left-hander received 11 percent of the 2021 Baseball Writers¡¯ Association of America vote, which was announced Tuesday, in his first year of eligibility.
Buehrle, who pitched 12 of his 16 seasons with the White Sox, earned 44 votes out of a total of 401 ballots submitted, with none of the 25 candidates earning the necessary 75 percent to be elected. Players must receive at least 5 percent of votes to remain on the ballot the following year.
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Buehrle was the model of consistency, recording 14 seasons with at least 200 innings pitched, 30 starts and double-digit victories. He threw 198 2/3 innings for the Blue Jays during his final season in 2015, just falling short of extending that streak.
While with the White Sox, Buehrle tossed a perfect game against the Rays on July 23, 2009, and threw a no-hitter against the Rangers on April 18, 2007, both achievements coming at Guaranteed Rate Field. He started Game 2 of the 2005 World Series, allowing four runs over seven innings and 100 pitches. He then saved Game 3, recording the final out in the 14th inning, helping the White Sox move toward a Fall Classic sweep.
¡°Those signature moments stand out,¡± White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams said during a recent interview. ¡°The consistency is less noticeable or less appreciated, but this guy was consistently good for a long time.
¡°In terms of him teaching, not so much, I think, in terms of mechanics. But in terms of attitude and approach, working quickly and trusting your catcher and those kind of things, I think he was invaluable.¡±
Buehrle had a 214-160 record and a 3.81 ERA in 518 career games (493 starts). He was a five-time All-Star and won four Gold Glove Awards, but he ranked in the top five in American League Cy Young Award voting only once, earning a fifth-place finish in 2005.
Buehrle never overpowered opposing hitters, with a career average fastball velocity of 85.6 mph, per FanGraphs, but he knew how to pitch. The southpaw threw 33 complete games and 10 shutouts.
The other former White Sox players on the Hall of Fame ballot were: Omar Vizquel (received 49.1 percent of votes), Andruw Jones (33.9 percent), Manny Ramirez (28.2 percent), Sammy Sosa (17 percent) and Nick Swisher (0 percent).